What are all these autonomous car levels?

Source: Dllu via Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

With increasing demands for automation, autonomous cars will inevitably clog the road system in the next few decades. Marques such as Audi and Tesla have rolled out their respective self-driving machines, which had been labelled as Traffic Jam Pilot for the former and Autopilot for the latter.

If you've been following the development of autonomous cars, you will surely have come across phrases such as Level 2, 3 and 4 autonomous levels. What do these categories tell the consumers?

Autonomous Levels

In a bid to dispel confusion over a car's level of self-driving capability, SAE International has drawn up its standard in categorising driving automation of on-road vehicles.

In SAE's standard, 6 levels of automation level ranging from 0-5 tells consumers the range of autonomous ability from no automation to full automation. Compiled below is the lists of defined sets of SAE standards in classifying driving automation:

Level 0: This is obviously a car that requires a driver's full control at all times, the kind of cars we're all familiar with and learn to drive in. Drivers are responsible for handling every aspects of driving dynamics, even when equipped with warning systems. Say your car has reverse sensor fitted. It merely warns you audibly you're reversing into an obstacle but the onus is entirely on you to avert collision. The car won't save you if you bungle.

Level 1: Assistance from driver assist systems that either automates steering or acceleration/deceleration aspects, but not both simultaneously, using information about the driving environment. Drivers are still responsible for handling all remaining aspects of driving dynamics. Cars equipped with, but not limited to, adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist fall in this level.

Level 2: This basically means a car can handle both steering and acceleration/deceleration aspects simultaneously. These cars have the ability to stay within lane marking and even apply the brakes for you. However, this only works in certain conditions and drivers still need to remain fully alert. 

Level 3: Conditional automation to use SAE International's terminology. Drivers can hand over control fully to the car, but must be prepared to take control when requested by the car once the factors enabling it to function ceases. As an example, Audi's Traffic Jam Pilot, introduced on the A8, only works during nose-to-tail traffic congestion, at speed of 60 kph (37 mph) and below, and presence of physical barrier separating opposite lane. As long these conditions are met, drivers can relax and let the car handle the rest. Outside the stipulated conditions and the driver must resume responsibility.

Level 4: Ahh the gate towards full automation. In this level, driving dynamics is handled by the car in most conditions. Whether drivers are still required to take the wheel if the car exceeds its operational design domain or the car can automatically stop if drivers fail to interact is up for debate. Some publications, such as Clean Technica and The Drive, believe it's the former, while Autoweek and The Washington Post believe in the latter notion. I would agree with Clean Technica and The Drive viewpoint as it wouldn't be Level 4 if the car can handle everything independent from the driver, which segues to the next and final category of driving automation.

Level 5: Well, to sum this level up, "Dude, your car can drive itself. Throw the steering and pedals away!". Yeah, the car can handle itself in all conditions without needing any help from the drivers. Just get your ass in the car, tell it where to go and whatsapp your GF while the car speeds down the freeway by itself. 

Jaguar Future-Type Concept lets you own a steering wheel

Source: Jaguar

With the relentless pursuit of autonomous car gaining more and more momentum, we are looking at the prospect of a future where drivers just take a seat and enjoy a sip of latte while the car expertly provides a smooth, chauffeured-ride by itself. To those who sees driving as more than just a monotonous point A to point B chore, it's understandable to feel the world has left them out in the cold. For that reason is why Jaguar decides to offer up a solution - a dual-mode autonomous car with a choice to let the car handle the driving task or hand over complete control to the driver.

Meet the Future-Type Concept, Jaguar's idea on implementing full self-driving car while allowing drivers to take over at will. The Future-Type Concept is set for 2040 introduction. The concept behind Jaguar's futuristic autonomous car is interesting nonetheless. In Jaguar's word, the Future-Type Concept is underpinned by "on-demand service club", meaning the operation of the concept is done by a portable, voice-activated artificial intelligence steering wheel. Yep, all you need is the steering wheel and not the car. 

Source: Jaguar

Dubbed Sayer (named after Malcolm Sayer, the E-Type designer), Jaguar said the steering is capable of performing hundreds of tasks which include summoning the car, play your favourite music and even knows what is inside your fridge. What is more, the ownership of the steering eases ride-sharing service as a fully charged Future-Type Concept can be summoned on demand, or if privately owned, lets you call Future-Type Concept for a late night jaunt to posh restaurant with your significant others.

As per the concept's raison d'etre, Jaguar said the car can be entirely left to its own devices or if you're in adrenaline mode, Sayer steering is on hand to let you thrill yourself at your favourite B-road.

                           
                                                                                          Source: Jaguar

Owing to the demand of the increasingly connected world, the Future-Type Concept will feature a 2+1 seating orientation, with a rear-facing front seat enabling face-to-face conversation with front-facing driver seat and rear passenger seat.  

The Future-Type Concept is a step towards the future that doesn't take away altogether driving involvement that enthusiasts yearn for. This has to be an example of innovative ideas that preserve the sanctity of driving while still giving the impetus for progression in technology.

Source: Jaguar

     

Autonomous cars

Source: http://abc7chicago.com/automotive/ntsb-driver-killed-in-self-driving-car-was-going-9-mph-over-speed-limit/1444006/

Unless you have been living under the rock, you have probably heard of autonomous cars getting into an accident. One accident involving the semi-autonomous Tesla Model S unfortunately led to the fatal death of Joshua Brown, the owner of the ill-fated Model S, when his Model S drove underneath a tractor trailer making a left turn. Apparently, Brown's Model S failed to detect the trailer, as observed by Tesla, "Neither autopilot nor the driver noticed the white side of the tractor-trailer against a brightly lit sky". As a result, the Model S failed to apply the brake and hit the trailer's underside, ripping off the Model S roof, consequently killing Brown.

Source: https://www.google.com/selfdrivingcar/where/

Another accident involving an autonomous car is a Google car which struck a bus trying to switch lane. As highlighted in an article by ExtremeTech, the vehicle being tested, the 2012 Lexus RX450h, thought the bus would give way. In contrast, the bus driver also thought the Lexus will give way. Result? Neither of them budge and they came into contact, damaging the Lexus front left fender, wheel, and driver side sensor.  

What do the two incidences entailed then? Does this mean the claim autonomous cars are safer than human drivers are dubious? Before we go in with guns blazing thinking cars that drive itself around are 4-wheel deathtrap, we should take a deep breath and look at the bigger picture.

Autonomous cars are still at its infancy. More R&D is still on the card. Meaning, it will take years before the software improves. As a comparison, even automatic transmission technology took several years until it becomes impeccably refine in the present day. What used to be a sluggish and fuel guzzling 'slush box', the technology has improved so much that it is not just more fuel efficient than the manual transmission, but also enhances a car's performance level above what the manual transmission used to offer.

If automatic transmission technology can improve, surely autonomous cars can do the same. With some software tweaks, autonomous cars will be able to do what it fails to do today.

In the present state, there may be some negative perception about the credibility of autonomous cars, but with time, autonomous cars will improve so much that it can recognise wide range of road obstacles at every angle.